Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you have been in a heated argument with someone who then proceeds to take their opinion and thoughts to social media? Our society has changed in recent years. People flock to social media daily to divulge to their ‘friends’ and the public information about their daily…

Given the world we live in today, it has become normal for people to wish to move in the search of a better life elsewhere, whether it be a personal preference or to obtain employment. As Canadians we are entitled to move throughout the country as we see fit, yet it should be qualified that…

Except where the law requires a contract to be in writing, the parties may contract orally, and in fact, even informal negotiations can result in a contract being found to exist (despite the parties not explicitly saying so). The case of Medjed v. 1007323 Ontario Inc., 2004 CarswellOnt 4775 at paras 66-67, notes: Oral negotiations…

Unlike a Will, which takes effect after you pass away, a personal directive and an enduring power of attorney guide personal and financial decisions that are made on your behalf while you are still living, but mentally incapable of making decisions on your own. Both are legally binding documents and are good in both short…

There is a sense among many that after a disaster, like the Fort McMurray fire, they are at the mercy of their insurance company. There is often tremendous financial pressure on those who purchased insurance for just such an occasion but the adjusters appointed by the insurance companies appear to simply dictate how the process…

In this blog we will consider the consequences that flow with regard to a landlord and tenant relationship where a mandatory evacuation order is issued, requiring all persons in the area of the leased property to evacuate the area for approximately one month or more due to wildfires. As you will see below the law…

It may be all fun and games when racking up the points on your X-Box, but when it comes to driving avoiding those points – specifically demerit points – is no game. Demerit points are recorded against your operator’s license, and one of the most common questions from drivers is how these points affect their…

In a world where dogs are increasingly viewed as family members – or even as “furry children” – has the legal system caught up with the way society sees our four-legged friends? Let’s explore how dogs are treated when relationships break down: Courts mostly regard pets as “property”, and therefore, solely determine which spouse has…

(January 29th, 2016, Fort McMurray, AB) – Don Scott Law Office is pleased to welcome well known and respected community leader and lawyer Christine Burton to its team of experienced legal representatives. Burton has lived in the Wood Buffalo region with her family for 20 years and is an active volunteer and community leader. Burton…

The answer may vary depending on your individual circumstances. From a purely technical point of view, a person has a right to represent themselves, whether in contractual negotiations, or in a criminal, probate or divorce matter. However, in most cases, using a lawyer is the wiser and safer choice. A wise judge recently remarked at…